Fowl-decapitator



{No Model.)

H. J. HUDDLE. FOWL DEGAPITATOR. No. 551,283; Patented Dec. 10, 1895.

UNITED STATES HERSOHEL J. HUDDLE,

PATENT QFFICE.

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

FOWL- DECAPITATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,283, dated December 10, 1895.

Application filed August 29, 1895. Serial No. 560,926. (No model.)

Toall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, HERSCHEL J. HUDDLE, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fowl-Decapitators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for decapitating fowls. Its object is to provide sure, simple, and convenient means for the above-named purpose.

The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in the description of the accompanyin g drawings forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my device; Fig 2, a top plan view. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the actuating and tripping mechanism. Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 3, but from the opposite side. Fig. 5 is a detail view of catch J.

In the accompanying drawings the letters A and A represent uprights or frame-pieces rising from a supporting-base frame a a. The upper end of the upright A constitutes a rest for the neck of a fowl while being decapitated.

.8 represents a metal cap mounted upon frame-piece A and provided with lugs 12 in which is journaled a shaft O carrying a crankarm I), provided at its outer end with a knife D arranged to strike the top face of upright A.

E represents a sheave secured to the shaft 0, and e a cord secured at one end to the sheave and at the other end to a spring f secured to the frame'pieces a.

F represents a ratchetavheel also secured to the shaft C, and g a pawl pivoted to the high and held in engagement with the ratchetwheel by means of a connecting-rod g, connected at its opposite end to a treadle G. The treadle G being held by means of a suitable spring in the raised position holds the pawl in engagement with the ratchet-wheel.

H represents a reciprocating arm for graspin g and holding the neck of the fowl in proper position and preventing all disagreeable noise on the part of the fowl. This arm is normally in the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1. hen the knife is raised, however, by means of the hand-lever 2 the periphery of cam I forces the arm H to the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, in which position it is locked and held by means of the springcatch J.

'i represents a beveled face upon the inner end of the cam I which engages the end j of the catch and releases it at the instant that the knife strikes the block A releasing the arm H.

K represents a conical receiver open at both ends, into which the body of the fowl is dropped to drain. The form of the receiver is such as to prevent spasmodic movement of the body, and the consequent throwing of blood. \Vhere large numbers of fowls are to be decapitated a series of receivers K are provided.

Mode of operation: The hand-lever 2 is depressed, raising the knife D and winding the cord e upon the sheave E straining the spring f. IV hen the knife is su fiiciently elevated the pawl g engages the ratchet F and holds the knife suspended. In the meantime the fowl is held in position so that the arm H actuated by cam I descends and grasps its neck, in which position the arm H is locked by catch J. The treadle G is then pressed, releasing the pawl, and the knife descends. The beveled cam 2' releases catch J and arm I-I springs back into position.

I claim- 1. The combination. with a rest for the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a shaft journaled on the upright or frame andprovided with a ratchet vheel, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and having a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl resting on the said rest, a pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel to hold the knife elevated, and means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-wheel to permit the knife to descend, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a rest for support ing the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a shaft journaled on the upright or frame and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and having a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl supported by said rest, a device for engaging and holding the neck of the fowl on the rest, a pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel to hold the knife elevated, and a treadle connected with the pawl for releasing the ratchet-wheel and permitting the knife to descend, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a rest for supporting the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a shaft journaled on the upright or frame and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and having a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl supported by the rest, a spring-arm for engaging and holding the neck of the fowl on the rest, a pawl engaging the ratchet-Wheel to hold the*knife elevated, and means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-wheel to permit the knife to descend, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a rest for support ing the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a shaft jonrnaled on. the upright or frame and provided with a ratchetwheel, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and having a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl supported on the rest, a spring-arm for engaging and holding the neck of the fowl on the rest, a pawl for engaging the ratchetwheel to hold the knife elevated, a treadle connected with the pawl for disengaging the latter from the ratchet-wheel to permit the knife to descend, and a cam arranged on the shaft and acting to press the spring-arm on the neck of the fowl, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a rest for supporting the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a shaft journaled on the upright or frame and provided with a ratchet-wheel and a sheave, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and having a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl supported on the rest, a spring-arm for engaging and holding the neck of the fowl on the rest, a pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel to hold the knife elevated, a treadle con nected with the pawl for disengaging the latter from the ratchet-wheel, so that the knife Will descend, a cord extending around the sheave, and a spring connected with the cord, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a rest for the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a spring-rotated shaft journaled on the upright or frame and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a crank-arm provided with a knife adapted to strike the neck of a fowl supported on the rest, a pawl engaging the ratchet-wheel for holding the shaft against the tension of the spring and sustaining the knife in an elevated position, and means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-wheel to permit the knife to descend, substantially as described.

'7. The combination with a rest for supporting the neck of a fowl, and an upright or frame, of a spring-rotated shaft journaled on the upright or frame and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a crank-arm secured to the shaft and provided with a knife adapted to strike the neck of the fowl supported by the rest, a spring-arm for engaging and holding the neck of the fowl on the rest, a pawl for engaging and holding the ratchet-wheel against the tension of the spring which rotates the shaft, devices for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-wheel, and a cam mounted on the shaft for depressing the spring-arm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HERSCIIEL J. HUDDLE.

lVitnesses:

OLIVER B. T. KAISER, N. P. \Voon. 

